Back with a beard

Max Morter plans to bring his beard to Turkey Rama for the McMinnville Downtown Association’s first beard and mustache contest.

“I’m part of a beard and mustache group in Portland,” he said. “We all compete fairly often.”

Most of the competitions are in the Portland area, where he lives. So he was excited when he heard about the new one at Turkey Rama, as he grew up in Newberg and started attending Turkey Rama long before he had facial hair.

Now 25, Morter has maintained a beard for years. It’s currently about five inches long, he said.

“A beard is a way of life,” he said. “If you’re a real man, you can power through the summer with it.”

While he admires free-flowing beards left to their own devices, Mortar brushes and oils his beard daily. He keeps it clean, too, using a mild shampoo with conditioner.

For people who are thinking of growing beards or entering the beard and mustache competition, Morter offered encouragement.

“Don’t be scared,” he said. “Just have fun with it. If you compete, it’s just having fun with a group of like-minded people.”